Problems
And I've had the most bad luck with KFX450R problems as well.
And I generally do not take such stuff very well.
I have had a lot of electrical and EFI related issues. I mean I was pretty much plagued with them. I mean I was pretty close to dropping a match in the gas tank... cause I like simple and these things can be so complicated the Kawi dealer can't even figure it out. It's got an ECU, a crapload of wires, some switches, sensors and relays, etc...
This was my case... dealers couldn't help... and I knew less than nothing about electrical stuff or EFI stuff. But I picked up a wiring diagram and sat in front of a computer, learning stuff one thing at a time. Learned it inside out, and was able to pretty simply fix all my problems.
My most severe problem was the actual ECU was bad on mine... which I proved to the dealer in time, but Kawi wouldn't authorize the warranty claim and send the part although it was still well under warranty.
So I just took the wad of cash I had set aside for purchasing the extended warranty, took $300 out of it and bought an aftermarket ECU... And I am actually glad it turned out this way... because it is a much hotter package now than it ever would have been if I had taken the common and planned road... Power Commander and Dynatek parts to handle the fuel and ignition tuning... I've got a lot better setup at a way lower investment.... So Kawi did me a favor there.
Anyways, wires, sensors, switches, etc... the more of them you have, the more fault points you have... for something to go wrong and the harder glitches are to find... that's just the way it is. And all of them will have this stuff eventually... most do already. And it will get better in time as well.
This is really no different than the progression of cars from carbs to EFI.
More complicated... yes... but there are no other negative marks.
And me, I would also rather tape a wire, change a fuse, swap a relay... or whatever... than have to deal with mechanical stuff like engine rebuilds, transmission repairs, etc...
I've done nothing mechanical to my machine yet... not even a valve adjustment.
I can't say the same for my 400's...
Had to split the cases on the one to do the water pump... and rebuild the carb... which still leaks.
And on the other I have rebuilt the carb and almost pulled my hair out getting it dialed in correctly.
And this engine will have to come down this winter for cylinder and head work, and bottom end inspection.
In my opinion it has a longer service life between rebuilds than the 400EX, and is every bit as mechanically reliable as the 400's in general. I expect it to have about the same or better service life than the Z400 and it's cousins. I just have to do a lot more oil changes, as it is way harder on oil.
I was having to change oil every ride, but found an oil that is tougher to reduce that way back.